It’s Not the Job, It’s the Mindset by Krystal Zellmer

"Love what you do, and you won’t work a day in your life."

My dad used to say that. And for most of my life, I believed that meant you had to find a job you were deeply passionate about, something that felt aligned, exciting, and on-purpose.

And I do feel that way about my work. I’m incredibly grateful to be in the percentage of people who love what they do. But lately, I’ve been thinking about that phrase through a different lens.

What if your job changes? What if the tasks shift, the circumstances stretch you, or the day-to-day becomes less than glamorous?

Can you still love what you do?

Here’s what I’ve come to believe: Yes, absolutely.Because love, whether in relationships or in work, isn’t just a feeling. It’s a choice.

That idea originally shaped how I view relationships. “Love is a choice, not a feeling” is one of my favorite relationship principles. But I never considered how powerful it is when applied to your career.

What if you brought love to what you do instead of waiting to feel love because of what you do?

I can choose to bring passion to my career, not because my circumstances are perfect, but because I’m a passionate person. I can bring love to my to-do list, not because it’s exciting, but because I’m committed to showing up with intention, no matter what the day holds.

That’s leadership.

It’s easy to say “I love my work” on the days that are smooth, energizing, and full of purpose. But what about the days that feel heavy, repetitive, or overwhelming?

Can we still choose love then?

Yes.

Because we’re not driven by circumstance. We’re driven by choice.

So today, I invite you to embrace wherever you are, whatever season you’re in, and bloom where you’re planted. Your circumstances don’t get to decide whether you live with love.

You do.

And just to be clear… I don’t plan on changing careers 😉

I’m exactly where I want to be. And I’m choosing to love every part of it, even the task lists.